The US Youth Soccer ODP Philosophy is to identify players of the highest caliber on a continuing and consistent basis, which will lead to increased success for the U.S. National Teams in the international arena.
PURPOSE
The US Youth Soccer Olympic Development Program (ODP) was formed in 1977 to identify a pool of players in each age group from which a National Team will be selected for international competition; to provide high-level training to benefit and enhance the development of players at all levels; and, through the use of carefully selected and licensed coaches, develop a mechanism for the exchange of ideas and curriculum to improve all levels of coaching.
VT/US Youth Soccer ODP is a national identification and development program designed to select youth soccer players throughout the country to represent their state association, Region, and the United States in soccer competition. ODP teams are formed at the state and regional levels, made up of the best players in various age groups. At the state association level, pools of players are identified in each eligible age group and brought together to develop their skills through training and competition. From the state pools, players are identified for regional and training pools and/or teams. Vermont ODP is one of 13 states participating within the US Youth Soccer East Region. The remaining participating states include: Connecticut, Delaware, Eastern New York, Eastern Pennsylvania, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York West, Pennsylvania West, Rhode Island, Virginia, and West Virginia.
PROGRAM GOALS
- To identify a pool of players in each age group from which a United States National team will be selected for international competition.
- To provide high-level training to benefit and enhance the development of players at all levels.
- Through the use of carefully selected and licensed coaches, develop a mechanism for the enhancement of ideas and curriculum to improve all levels of coaching.
PROGRAM BENEFITS
- High level player development. ODP offers the opportunity to train with the best players in one’s age group.
- Quality instruction from nationally licensed coaches.
- Exposure to regional and national team coaches.
- Quality competition through games against other state association ODP teams.
- The opportunity to represent one’s state, region and country in competition.
- Exposure to college coaches.
2023-24 ODP TRYOUTS
Vermont Soccer Association is proud to announce its upcoming tryout dates for the Vermont Olympic Development Program (ODP). Tryouts for the 2023-24 ODP season will take place on November 5 and November 12 from 1 PM to 3 PM at Shelburne Field House, and registration is currently open. Players selected into Vermont ODP will have the opportunity to advance onto the regional and possibly national level. By playing with similarly talented athletes, ODP offers the opportunity for players to advance in their personal development and be scouted by college coaches.
WHO: Boys and Girls Players Born in 2007, 2008 or 2009
WHEN: Sunday, November 5th and Sunday, November 12th from 1 PM to 3 PM
WHERE: Shelburne Field House
COST: $50
If your birth year is 2010 to 2015 (or a 2009 athlete not playing high school), learn more about our Vermont Development Program.
Below is some information that will help guide you through the ODP process and the program’s 2023-2024 season.
- The Olympic Development Program (ODP) is a national program designed to serve two major purposes: To identify the outstanding youth players throughout this country to represent the United States in international competition; and to develop the top players throughout the United States, at the State, Regional, and National levels.
- In 1979, the program expanded, the organization became more efficient and multi-year plans were developed. State Associations were encouraged to develop programs which supported and worked in tandem with National and Regional programs. At the beginning of 1982 a formalized program for girls was created, with the addition of a full committee (one member from each Region). From 1982 until the present, international events for youth national teams have increased substantially and the US Youth Soccer ODP has kept pace by instituting trials and player pools for six age groups in the boys’ program, and six age groups in the girls’ program.
- East Region ODP Mission Statement: To develop each player in the program to their full potential to enhance the enjoyment of playing the game; To increase the skill level of the players to raise the level of play in their local environment; To develop all players to achieve their highest possible level; To identify players of the highest caliber on a consistent basis to lead to increased success for the U.S. National Teams in the international arena.
- The goal is to be a nationally recognized youth identification and development pathway for US soccer players.
- Players are evaluated and selected on technique, tactics, fitness and athletic ability, and attitude. After tryouts player pools will be created. All players must play on their birth year team – special situations at the coaches’ discretion.
- Some of the benefits of participating in ODP include Development as a player. The opportunity to train and play with the best players in one’s age group. Quality instruction from nationally licensed coaches. Quality competition. Games against other state association ODP teams. Exposure to Regional and National Team Coaches. The opportunity to represent one’s state, region, or county in competition. Exposure to college coaches.
- All ODP information is posted via the web site and email, so it is important to keep your email address up to date, and to check it often.
- A player may be selected on the pool but may not be chosen to attend an event. This does not mean that the player is no longer a member of the ODP program, only that they will not be traveling to that event. All pool players will attend the training sessions.
- Commitment for all events is completed on-line and a player must be in good financial standing prior to the event before he/she is permitted to participate. Payment will always be available online.
- Questions can be directed to John Curtis at doc@vermontsoccer.org
- For additional ODP information, you can visit http://www.usyouthsoccer.org/east/odp-east/.